The Pros And Cons Of Flexible Work Schedules

Does your company offer flexible work schedules? Everyone wants flexibility in their lives so that they can have a work life balance that allows them to enjoy the best of both worlds. Adding flexible work schedules to the list of perks at work is a rapidly growing trend that can do wonders for your business.

Flexible worker laying on stomach with feet over head while working on laptop

Flexible work schedules mean that employees get to set their own schedule. They can come and go as they please. As long as they put in the time and complete the necessary work on-time and to your standards, it’s typically a win-win situation for everyone. According to FlexJobs.com, 80% of companies offer flexible work arrangements and 64% of companies have flex programs that are informal with no written policy.

Do Your Employees Waste Time At Work?

By not defining specific employee office hours, you give your team the work life balance that they crave. It may mean they come in late and leave late, arrive early and leave early, or work a compressed work week. However you choose to run the program, it allows your team members to do things like run errands during business hours, watch their kid’s soccer game, or enjoy a powder day at the ski resort.

Put yourself in your employees shoes for a minute. A flexible work schedule sounds nice right? But is it good for the employer too? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of flexible work schedules:

Pros of Flexible Work Schedules:

Cons of Flexible Work Schedules:

  • Doesn’t Work For All Employees
  • Communication Breakdowns
  • Reduces Employers Control
  • Employees Take Advantage Of The Policy
  • Won’t Work For All Jobs

Making the change from stringent office hours to a flexible work schedule can be a tough transition and it can certainly change your culture. If you’re starting to play around with the idea of offering flexible schedules, start slow and ease in to this new program.

There are no real guidelines for establishing a flexible work program at your office. The US Department of Labor defines Flexible Schedules as “an alternative to the traditional 9 to 5, 40-hour work week” that “allows employees to vary their arrival and/or departure times.” That means it’s up for you to decide how you want to run your office.

Is it time to offer your team a flexible schedule?

See Also:

Sign up for our newsletter!